Bugatti, a name synonymous with automotive artistry and unparalleled performance, has once again redefined the boundaries of hypercar engineering with its latest masterpiece – the Bugatti Tourbillon. This groundbreaking vehicle marks a pivotal moment for Bugatti Cars, seamlessly blending the brand’s rich heritage with a visionary approach to the future of automotive luxury and performance. Guided by Ettore Bugatti’s timeless principles, “if comparable it is no longer Bugatti” and “nothing is too beautiful,” the Tourbillon emerges as an incomparable creation, designed not just for the present or future, but “Pour l’éternité” – for eternity.
Drawing inspiration from iconic Bugatti cars such as the Type 57SC Atlantic, Type 35, and Type 41 Royale, the Tourbillon embodies beauty, performance, and luxury in its purest form. It stands as a testament to Bugatti’s unwavering commitment to creating vehicles that are not only technologically advanced but also emotionally resonant and exquisitely crafted. This new chapter for Bugatti cars moves beyond the celebrated W16 engine, yet remains deeply rooted in the brand’s legacy of innovation and groundbreaking engineering.
The name “Tourbillon,” a French term referencing a horological invention that epitomizes complexity and beauty, perfectly encapsulates the essence of this new Bugatti car. Just as the tourbillon revolutionized watchmaking by counteracting gravity to achieve unparalleled precision, the Bugatti Tourbillon aims to redefine automotive engineering for the modern era. This name also subtly nods to Bugatti’s French heritage and its home in Molsheim, reinforcing the brand’s enduring connection to its roots. The concept of mechanical timelessness is central to the Tourbillon, ensuring that this Bugatti car remains relevant and admired for generations to come, much like the heirloom timepieces that inspired its creation. The integration of an entirely analogue instrument cluster, crafted by Swiss watchmakers, further emphasizes this commitment to timeless design and enduring craftsmanship, setting the Tourbillon apart in an age of rapidly evolving digital technology.
Design and Aerodynamics: Sculpted by Speed
The Bugatti Tourbillon, like all distinguished Bugatti cars, is fundamentally “shaped by speed.” Achieving velocities exceeding 400 km/h demands meticulous attention to every surface, inlet, and contour, ensuring not only optimal aerodynamics but also efficient thermodynamics. This principle dictates the Tourbillon’s design, which evolves around four core Bugatti design elements, each echoing the brand’s illustrious history: the horseshoe grille, the Bugatti Line, the central ridge, and the dual-color split.
Frank Heyl, Bugatti Director of Design, emphasizes the influence of Ettore and Jean Bugatti’s creations on the Tourbillon’s design. He points to the aerodynamic ingenuity and enduring beauty of classic Bugatti cars like the Type 35 and Type 57SC Atlantic. The Type 35’s streamlined fuselage shape, guided by the horseshoe grille, and the Type 57SC Atlantic’s lowered stance and elegant proportions, served as key inspirations. The design philosophy focused on harmonizing functional volumes with extreme proportions, creating a stance that exudes speed and power even at a standstill. The lower profile of the Tourbillon enhances its width and emphasizes the muscular tension in its design, creating a posture that appears ready to unleash its immense power.
The iconic dual-tone paintwork, pioneered by Jean Bugatti, is reimagined in the Tourbillon with a modern yet authentic approach. This signature design element, along with the Bugatti Line, which originates from the Type 41 Royale and was further refined in the Veyron and Chiron, defines the car’s aesthetic. In the Tourbillon, the Bugatti Line curves more sharply, leaning forward to impart a sense of motion and dynamism to the side profile, enhancing the car’s leaping stance.
Despite its breathtaking design, every aspect of the Tourbillon is engineered to manage the immense aerodynamic forces at 400+ km/h and meet the thermal demands of its V16 engine, electric motors, and battery system. Leveraging over two decades of experience from the Veyron and Chiron, the Tourbillon incorporates patented technologies to achieve aerodynamic equilibrium. Notably, the rear wing remains submerged even at top speed, maintaining a perfect balance of forces. This wing is crucial for generating downforce at lower speeds and acting as an airbrake for enhanced stability during deceleration.
A key aerodynamic innovation in this Bugatti car is the new diffuser concept, which rises from behind the passenger cabin at an optimized angle to maintain balance. Integrated within the diffuser is a novel crash concept, seamlessly incorporated into the structure to maximize effectiveness while remaining hidden, allowing for the Tourbillon’s distinctive open rear-end design. The horseshoe grille remains central to the design ethos, serving as the origin point for all the car’s lines and shaping its central fuselage. Flying fenders channel airflow beneath the headlights, boosting air mass flow into the side intakes. The frontal design cleverly integrates an ultra-efficient cooling system that directs air through the front bonnet, enhancing downforce while accommodating a sizable front trunk between the radiators. Electrically actuated dihedral doors not only ease vehicle entry but also add a dramatic flair, operable via the key fob, door button, or center console.
Interior: A Timeless Sanctuary of Craftsmanship
In an era dominated by digital interfaces in automotive design, Bugatti has chosen a different path for the Tourbillon’s interior, prioritizing timelessness over transient technology. Inspired by the enduring appeal of horlogerie, where century-old wristwatches remain fashionable and functional, the Tourbillon’s cabin offers an authentic analogue experience. This philosophy ensures that this Bugatti car’s interior will remain as captivating and relevant in the future as it is today.
The centerpiece of the interior is an exquisite analogue instrument cluster, a horological masterpiece crafted by Swiss watchmakers. Comprising over 600 parts, made from titanium and gemstones like sapphire and ruby, this skeletonized cluster weighs a mere 700g and is built to micron-level tolerances. Fixed in place, it provides an unobstructed view of instrumentation regardless of steering angle, thanks to the fixed hub steering wheel design. This innovative approach ensures that drivers always have critical information readily visible, enhancing the driving experience in this exceptional Bugatti car.
The center console, a fusion of crystal glass and aluminum, showcases the intricate mechanisms of the switches and the engine start lever. The crystal glass, developed through a 13-stage process, is both flawlessly clear and exceptionally strong. Anodized aluminum components, milled from solid blocks, and knurled aluminum switches are integral to a complex, visible mechanism beneath the glass, all developed in-house. Starting the all-new V16 engine is a tactile ritual, a deliberate nod to classic automobiles, requiring a physical pull to start and push to cease, further emphasizing the analogue feel of this Bugatti car.
Discreetly integrated is a high-definition digital screen that deploys from the center console when needed, displaying vehicle data and mobile connectivity. This screen appears in portrait mode for the reversing camera in just two seconds and in landscape mode in five seconds, offering modern functionality without compromising the timeless analogue aesthetic of the interior. Every interior element is designed for ultimate performance without sacrificing practicality or comfort. Fixed seats minimize weight and height, while an electrically adjustable pedal box accommodates drivers of all sizes. This design maximizes interior space, making the Tourbillon suitable for both long journeys and daily use. Even the audio system eschews traditional speakers for exciters integrated into door panels and interior panels, creating a lighter, more efficient sound system, a testament to Bugatti’s commitment to innovation in every aspect of this Bugatti car.
Christophe Piochon, President of Bugatti, highlights the focus on material authenticity and meticulous craftsmanship. The philosophy of “what you see is what you get” ensures that every material, whether titanium, carbon fiber, or leather, is genuine and of the highest quality. The Tourbillon platform is engineered to express excellence in every detail, echoing Ettore Bugatti’s ethos that even unseen components should be works of art. This dedication to detail and craftsmanship elevates the Tourbillon to a new echelon of luxury and engineering within the realm of Bugatti cars.
Powertrain and Performance: The Dawn of a New Engine Era
The Bugatti W16 engine, a marvel of automotive engineering, set unprecedented benchmarks for power and technology. Now, Bugatti introduces a successor that is equally groundbreaking: an all-new 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V16 engine, developed with Cosworth, paired with electric motors. This innovative powertrain marks a new chapter in the performance legacy of Bugatti cars.
The Tourbillon’s hybrid powertrain includes a front e-Axle with two electric motors and a rear axle-mounted electric motor, delivering a total of 1,800 hp – 1,000 hp from the V16 engine and 800 hp from the electric motors. This is an extraordinary achievement, especially considering the naturally aspirated nature of the V16 engine, which surpasses the Veyron’s 1,001 hp from its 8.0-liter, quad-turbo W16. Constructed from lightweight materials, the V16 engine weighs just 252 kg, contributing to the car’s overall agility and performance.
Powering the electric motors is a 25 kWh oil-cooled 800V battery, located in the central tunnel and behind the passengers. The four-wheel-drive system with full torque-vectoring ensures exceptional traction and agility. The electric powertrain system, with motors reaching 24,000 RPM and dual silicon-carbide inverters, is among the most power-dense globally, achieving over 6 kW per kg of e-axle mass. Beyond raw power, the 25 kWh battery provides a usable all-electric range exceeding 60 km (37 miles), enhancing the versatility of this Bugatti car.
Defying industry trends of increasing vehicle weight with each new model, the Bugatti Tourbillon is lighter than the Chiron, despite featuring a hybrid powertrain and enhanced performance. This weight reduction is a testament to the advanced engineering and lightweight construction of the Tourbillon. The combination of instantaneous electric torque and lightweight design results in breathtaking performance for this Bugatti car.
The advanced hybrid powertrain, lightweight engineering, efficient packaging, and optimized aerodynamics of the Tourbillon significantly reduce emissions compared to its predecessor while elevating the driving experience to new heights. This positions the Tourbillon as a pinnacle of automotive engineering and environmental responsibility within the hypercar segment.
Emilio Scervo, CTO Bugatti Rimac, emphasizes the pursuit of incomparability in every aspect of the Tourbillon. The philosophy was to elevate every feature of the Chiron, seeking elegant engineering solutions and new technologies to create a timeless masterpiece. The goal was to craft a vehicle where every component, both visible and hidden, could be considered a work of art. The powertrain decision was critical, with options ranging from re-engineering the W16 to full electrification. Ultimately, creating an entirely new powertrain – a naturally aspirated V16 paired with electric motors – was chosen to retain the raw analogue feel of a combustion engine while adding the agility of electric power. The sound of the V16 engine at its 9,000 rpm redline is described as a visceral, awe-inspiring experience, promising to be a defining characteristic of this Bugatti car for eternity. The Tourbillon embodies the best of both combustion and electric technologies, delivering uncompromised performance and a memorable driving experience.
Engineering: Setting New Standards in Hypercar Construction
The Bugatti Tourbillon is built upon an entirely new chassis and body structure, constructed from next-generation T800 carbon composite. This advanced material incorporates weight-saving innovations, such as integrating the battery as a structural monocoque component and a motorsport-inspired crash composite rear diffuser. The front composite air ducts are also structural, ensuring every element of the rigid, lightweight structure is optimized. Low-pressure thin-wall aluminum castings and 3D-printed structural braces in the front and rear frames further contribute to a structure significantly lighter and stiffer than its predecessor, showcasing Bugatti’s commitment to cutting-edge engineering in its cars.
The new chassis features multi-link suspension both front and rear, forged from aluminum, a departure from the Chiron’s double-wishbone steel construction. Organically designed suspension arms and uprights, 3D-printed in aluminum, achieve a 45% weight reduction in the suspension system compared to the Chiron. The rear suspension also incorporates an AI-developed 3D-printed hollow airfoil arm to enhance vehicle dynamics and aerodynamic performance, demonstrating the advanced engineering within this Bugatti car.
Braking is handled by state-of-the-art carboceramic brakes and a bespoke brake-by-wire system, seamlessly integrated with the adjustable pedal box and a non-linear vehicle controller developed by Bugatti for the hybrid powertrain. Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tires, custom-developed for the Tourbillon (285/35 R20 front, 345/30 R21 rear), ensure optimal grip and handling. The compact and lightweight front e-axle, housing dual independent motors and inverters, fits within the same space as in the Chiron, adding complexity without increasing bulk. The clean-sheet chassis and body design also allowed engineers to increase storage space and create a larger luggage compartment, accommodating bespoke Bugatti Tourbillon luggage, enhancing the practicality of this high-performance Bugatti car.
Coming in 2026: The Embodiment of Eternity
Mate Rimac, CEO Bugatti Rimac, reflects on Bugatti’s history, noting Ettore and Jean Bugatti’s unwavering refusal to compromise. Their relentless pursuit of the best solutions, even if they had to invent them, is the driving force behind the Tourbillon. The creation of a new V16 engine, the integration of a hybrid system, the Swiss-made watchmaker instrument cluster, 3D-printed suspension parts, and a crystal glass center console exemplify this uncompromising ambition. These elements combine to make the Bugatti Tourbillon not just a hypercar, but an icon “Pour l’éternité.”
The Bugatti Tourbillon is now undergoing rigorous testing, with prototypes already on the road. Customer deliveries are anticipated to begin in 2026. Production will be limited to 250 examples, with a starting price of 3.8 million EUR net. Hand-assembly will take place at the Bugatti Atelier in Molsheim, following the final W16-powered Bugatti models, Bolide and W16 Mistral. The Tourbillon represents the pinnacle of Bugatti cars, embodying timeless design, unparalleled performance, and a relentless pursuit of automotive perfection, destined to be revered for eternity.
